SO WHAT do all last week's photographs of a shirtless Andy Murray tell us about the makeup of the loose platoon of coaches, pals and advisors that comprise Team Murray.
Is there some PR consultant telling him that to break into the top five he needs to show he has bulked up, that he is no longer the pallid geek from Dunblane with a pigeon chest but a super-athlete with a new relaxed floppy hairdo? Or is Team Murray
merely lacking that vital member who remembers to pack the British No 1's tennis shirts?
Whoever is responsible, there is certainly a sense that 2008 is being sold as Murray's year. The lack of a full-time coach may prove problematic in the long-term, but in the short-term his casual entourage seems to have had a positive effect on Murray's mood and his game, judging by the impressive manner in which he won his season's opener in Doha.
That preliminary tournament will redress some of the distance between the respect and admiration Murray enjoys in the tennis world and his actual achievements. What would close the gap conclusively would be a victory in a grand slam tournament. That's a daunting ask while the colossus of Roger Federer still casts his shadow over men's tennis, but the Australian Open in Melbourne is probably Murray's best opportunity.
Between them Federer and Rafael Nadal have divided up every men's slam tournament since Marat Safin won in Melbourne in 2005. During that period there have been times when Nadal has looked ready to usurp the Swiss player's dominance, but a litany of injuries has obstructed his progress. The latest, a knee problem, has affected his preparation for Melbourne, and might prevent him competing effectively in 2008. The impression is that Nadal's meteoric rise up the rankings, and a punishing schedule have told physically. Nadal might have been better taking a few months off to recuperate fully, but he can't afford to give Federer that kind of head start.
Similar problems have afflicted Murray, but he is in better condition at present than he has ever been previously at the start of a season, and admits his spirits are very high going into this tournament. Morale isn't everything of course, but it does play a surprisingly large role in any potential upset of the mighty Federer.
Nadal's injury and the subsequent frustration will affect the Spaniard's belief. It may seem cruel to dwell on others' misfortunes, but Murray will appreciate that the world No 2's vulnerability can only increase his own chances. Arguably Murray's finest ever display on the tennis court was in the fourth round epic in Melbourne last January where he led Nadal by two sets to one, before eventually succumbing to the Spaniard's relentless athleticism. Murray is fitter and wiser 12 months on, and with enough cockiness to fancy his chances against Federer.
That sort of confidence is rare on a men's tour that has been consistently cowed by the player who has 12 grand slam titles to his name. The otherwise powerful Andy Roddick seems so overawed by Federer that you could probably set the American trembling just by waving a bar of Toblerone.
Looking for a serious title challenger hardly offers a surfeit of possibilities. One of the most appealing options is Novak Djokovic, the same age as Murray, but with a more impressive record in grand slam tournaments. The Serbian player has immense stamina, great powers of concentration, and will win a grand slam tournament at some point. If Federer's fitness or concentration are anything short of 100 per cent, Djokovic could profit.
Murray's immediate and achievable target should be to become the sort of player with the serious candidacy of a Nadal and a Djokovic. Murray's biggest problem, if he allows it to happen, could be the same millstone that constantly dragged Tim Henman down into mediocrity. As the only British tennis player, male or female, in the world's top 100, Murray represents Britain's only real interest in an entire sport. He can wear that burden lightly, or he can allow it to become an issue.
With that neat symmetry that sport regularly offers, Murray's first-round opponent at Melbourne is Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The Frenchman ended Tim Henman's grand slam career at the US Open. Perhaps he could be the first step in Murray's progress to genuine world-class status.
The full article contains 746 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
